General Information :

• It is a deciduous small to medium-sized tree .
• Bark grey to brown in color.
• Leaves alternate, simple shiny green in color.

Distribution :

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Greece, Iran, Russian Federation, Turkey

Habitat : Temperate and tropical regions

Soil : Red laterite soil with good drainage and high organic matter content is ideally suited for commercial condition.

Soil pH : 6.0-6.8

Altitude :600-2400 m (MSL)

Rainfall :Up to 1200 mm

Temperature : 20-39'C

Terrain : Plain/hilly

Tree Characteristics :

• Frost hardy.

Habit : Deciduous tree

Natural Regeneration :

• Not satisfactory.

Artificial Regeneration :

• Propagated by grafting technique.

Seed collection and Storage :

• Seeds are recovered by macerating the fruit, drying the pulp, and using a screen to extract the seeds.
• Small quantities of seeds are effectively removed.
• Each ripe fruit contains up to 10 smooth black seeds.
• There are about 22000 seeds/kg.

Seed Treatment :

• Not necessary.

Nursery Technique :

• Seeds are broadcasted in mother bed.
• It is watered regularly for quick germination.
• Two leaf stage seedlings are prick to poly bags and maintained for 6 months in nursery.

   

Plantation technique :

• Standard trees are spaced at 25 x 25 ft (70 trees/acre), but hedgerow forms are more common in high density plantings, with hundreds of trees per acre.
• Pollinizers are planted in alternate rows, or every 10th or 15th tree within hedgerows.

Care & Disease Control :

Pest and disease : 1. When trees are planted too deep in the soil they may die of crown rot (Phytophthora spp.) Seedlings may be subject to powdery mildew, caused by Podosphaera leucotricha and by root rots. 2.Experienced growers usually spray antibiotic fireblight materials (Streptomycin, Terramycin, or copper) during the bloom period. 3. Antibiotic sprays for fireblight should be made at time of bloom and continued in April and May and after harvest. 4. Frequent removal of diseased (blighted) limbs as soon as symptoms appear to control fireblight is necessary most years  Pruning: which should mainly be done in December to February, should be light and just enough to develop a strong tree that is able to handle the weight of the fruits. When a one-year-old tree is first planted, it should be cut back to 1 or 1.2 m high and all side branches should be removed.            Thinning : The best thinning usually requires two times to effectively leave no more than one fruit per spur, and if spurs are close together well thinned fruit are spaced 10 to 15 cm apart. Thinning up to 30 days before harvest can benefit size, but early thinning is essential for annual bearing and good fruit sizes. Crop loads of 200 to 400 fruit per tree are common on 8- to 10-year-old trees.

Irrigation :

For proper growth and survival it is necessary to give one or two waterings after planting. This is specifically required in arid regions. Irrigation after planting is not a prerequisite in areas having sufficient soil moisture and precipitation. Higher survival rate and better rate of growth is reported when soil and water conservation measures are also adopted

Recommended Harvest :

• 8-10 years.

Yield :

• 200 to 400 fruit /tree/year.

Major uses :

Food:

• The fruit is eaten fresh, in fruit salads, or more rarely, canned. Sometimes, they are dried or candied. They are also used in jams and jellies.

Timber:

• Its wood is brown-reddish, compacts, with several applications such as in furniture.                                                                                    

Other uses :

Other products: In Europe, the alcoholic cider "Perry" is made from the pear.

Market details :

• Approximately Rs.12000 to Rs.15000/ton.